Final answer:
Penicillin and cephalosporin are both antibiotics that belong to the ß-lactam class. They have a similar structure and mode of action, but differ in their chemical structure, spectrum of activity, and number of R groups.
Step-by-step explanation:
Penicillin and cephalosporin are both antibiotics that belong to the ß-lactam class. They are similar in structure and mode of action as they contain a ß-lactam ring, which inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis. However, there are some key differences that differentiate penicillin from cephalosporin:
- Chemical structure: Penicillins have a five-member ring fused to the ß-lactam ring, while cephalosporins have a six-member ring fused to the ß-lactam ring.
- Spectrum of activity: Penicillin is primarily active against gram-positive bacteria, while cephalosporin is active against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
- R groups: Penicillin has one R group, while cephalosporin has two R groups. This difference allows for greater diversity in chemical alterations and development of semisynthetic cephalosporins.